{"id":14075,"date":"2026-05-05T03:21:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/washington-policy-weekly-arab-center-washington-dc\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T03:21:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:21:39","slug":"washington-policy-weekly-arab-center-washington-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/2026\/05\/05\/washington-policy-weekly-arab-center-washington-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Policy Weekly – Arab Center Washington DC"},"content":{"rendered":"

I. Legislative Branch<\/strong>
1) Legislation<\/strong>
Senate Bill Seeks to Advance US Partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On April 29, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced\u00a0S.4443<\/a>, which would\u00a0expand<\/a>\u00a0US engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through partnerships with Israel and Egypt, to advance energy, trade, and critical infrastructure, and to support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor<\/a>.
House Resolution Commends Pakistan for Mediation Efforts in Iran War.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On April 29, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) introduced\u00a0H.Res.1225<\/a>, which commends Pakistan \u201cfor its efforts to facilitate peace between the United States and Israel with Iran.\u201d
Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution for Sixth Time<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em><\/strong>On April 30, the Senate rejected<\/a> a War Powers resolution<\/a>, the sixth such measure to fail, that would have halted US military operations against Iran without Congressional approval. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), failed in a 50\u201347 vote, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) joining<\/a> Democrats in support. The vote came as the war approached a 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline<\/a> on May 1.
Between April 27\u00a0and\u00a030, Democrats in the House and Senate introduced new Iran War Powers legislation, including resolutions led by Reps.\u00a0Maxine Dexter (D-OR),<\/a>\u00a0John Garamendi (D-CA)<\/a>,\u00a0Seth Moulton (D-MA)<\/a>,\u00a0Becca Balint (D-VT)<\/a>, and\u00a0Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda (D-IL)<\/a>, alongside bills introduced by Sens.\u00a0Tim Kaine (D-VA)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Christopher Coons (D-DE)<\/a>.
House Resolution Condemns Alleged Antisemitism.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On April 30, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced\u00a0H.Res.1239<\/a>, which\u00a0condemns<\/a>\u00a0\u201cantisemitic hate-filled rhetoric and content disseminated by prominent online personalities, and urg[es] social media platforms and public leaders to denounce and address such conduct.\u201d The resolution explicitly targets media personalities Hasan Piker and Candice Owens, stating that Piker \u201chas often used antisemitic rhetoric, including expressing support for Hamas,\u201d and that Owens \u201chas employed rhetoric that has included conspiracy theories accusing Israel of controlling the United States.\u201d
House Bill Targets Iran War Funding.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0On April 30, Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR) introduced\u00a0H.R.8592<\/a>, which would amend the\u00a0Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974<\/a>\u00a0to allow Congress to\u00a0block<\/a>\u00a0reconciliation measures that fund unauthorized US military operations against Iran.
House Member Introduces FY27 National Security\/Department of State Appropriations Bill.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On April 30, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced\u00a0H.R.8595<\/a>, the\u00a0Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill<\/a>.
2) Personnel and Correspondence<\/strong>
HFAC Democrats Press Rubio and Mast for Briefing on Iran Negotiations. <\/em><\/strong>On April 29, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) led<\/a> all Committee Democrats in companion letters to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), demanding a comprehensive briefing on the status of US negotiations with Iran.
3) Hearings and Briefings<\/strong>
HASC, SASC Hold Hearings on FY27 Department of War Budget Request. <\/em><\/strong>On April 29, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) held<\/a> a hearing<\/a> on the administration’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) military budget proposal. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine testified on Capitol Hill for the first time since the start of the Iran war. During the hearing, the Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer, Jules Hurst, said<\/a> that the war in Iran has cost the United States $25 billion to date. Democrats hammered<\/a> Hegseth over his characterization of the war, its cost, and its objectives.
On April 30, Hegseth and Caine testified<\/a> before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), where several Democrats challenged<\/a> the Pentagon’s $25 billion war estimate, arguing that the figure understates the true cost. Hegseth also clashed with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) over the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline for President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces or seek congressional authorization. Hegseth argued that the clock stopped when Trump announced<\/a> the ceasefire on April 7. Kaine countered that the law did not support that interpretation and maintained that, by May 1, Trump must have obtained authorization to continue the war, ended it, or requested a 30-day extension to safely withdraw troops.
II. Executive Branch<\/strong>
1) White House<\/strong>
Vance Doubts Pentagon\u2019s Portrayal of Iran War. <\/em><\/strong>On April 27, The Atlantic reported<\/a> that Vance has privately expressed concern that the war is depleting US weapons stockpiles, as well as skepticism about how the Pentagon is portraying the war to President Trump.
Trump Administration Rejects Iranian Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz. <\/em><\/strong>On April 27, The Wall Street Journal reported<\/a> that Trump was unhappy with Iran’s latest proposal<\/a> because it does not address Iran’s nuclear program, though Trump did not reject it outright. Iran proposed that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade on Iranian ports and ending the war.
That same day, Secretary of State Rubio told<\/a> Fox News that Iran’s proposal was unacceptable and ruled out any deal that excludes Iran’s nuclear program.
On April 28, Trump said<\/a>, without offering evidence, that Iran had told the United States that it is in a \u201cState of Collapse\u201d and wanted Washington to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible while Tehran tried to \u201cfigure out\u201d its leadership situation. The same day, the Wall Street Journal reported<\/a> that Trump had told his aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran.
The next day, Trump wrote<\/a> on Truth Social, accompanied by an AI-generated image of him brandishing an automatic weapon, that \u201cIran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!\u201d He also stressed<\/a> to Axios that the United States would not lift its blockade of Iranian ports until a nuclear deal is reached, adding that \u201cthe blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing.\u201d
Trump Attacks German Chancellor Merz Over Iran. <\/em><\/strong>On April 28, President Trump criticized<\/a> German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his lack of enthusiasm for the war, claiming that Merz \u201cthinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.\u201d Trump\u2019s remarks came after Merz said<\/a> that the United States had been \u201chumiliated by the Iranian leadership.\u201d The next day, Trump said<\/a> that the United States was \u201cstudying and reviewing the possible reduction\u201d of its troops stationed in Germany.
On May 1, the Pentagon\u00a0confirmed<\/a>\u00a0that the United States would withdraw some 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months.
Trump Tells Netanyahu to Limit Lebanon Strikes to \u201cSurgical\u201d Operations.<\/em><\/strong> On April 29, in an interview with Axios, President Trump said<\/a> that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to limit military action in Lebanon to \u201csurgical\u201d strikes to avoid a full resumption of the war. He added that Netanyahu \u201cmust carry out the order more carefully, not destroy the buildings\u2026it is absolutely horrific and harms Israel’s image.\u201d
Trump Congratulates al-Zaidi on Nomination as Iraqi Prime Minister. <\/em><\/strong>On April 30, President Trump congratulated<\/a> Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination as the next prime minister of Iraq, saying that \u201cwe look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States.\u201d
Trump Claims Hostilities in Iran \u201cTerminated\u201d in Letter to Congressional Leaders.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>On May 1, President Trump\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)\u00a0and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that US hostilities with Iran had \u201cterminated,\u201d citing the April 7 ceasefire, and asserting that the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline no longer applied.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0that Trump\u2019s claim \u201cdoesn\u2019t reflect the reality\u201d that US forces remain at risk, that the administration continues to threaten escalation, and that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
On the same day, Trump\u00a0told<\/a>\u00a0reporters that he did not plan to seek congressional approval for the Iran war, arguing that \u201cit\u2019s never been sought before\u201d and suggesting that the War Powers Act was \u201ctotally unconstitutional.\u201d
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal; Says United States Will \u201cGuide\u201d Stranded Ships from Strait of Hormuz.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0On May 1, President Trump said<\/a>\u00a0that he was not satisfied with Iran\u2019s latest proposal to end the war, blaming the country\u2019s \u201cfractured\u201d leadership. The next day, Trump said<\/a>\u00a0that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal<\/a>\u00a0but added that he \u201ccan\u2019t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.\u201d
On May 3, Trump said<\/a>\u00a0that the proposal was unacceptable. He added<\/a>\u00a0that on May 4 the United States would begin an effort to \u201cguide\u201d ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, calling the process \u201cProject Freedom\u201d and asserting that it was a \u201chumanitarian gesture.\u201d
2) Department of State<\/strong>
Department Approves Military Sale to Tunisia.<\/em><\/strong> On April 27, the Department of State approved<\/a> a possible Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia of equipment to support its Border Security Project Phase III<\/a>, with an estimated cost of $95 million. The project, launched in 2016, involves the installation of an advanced border surveillance system to strengthen Tunisia\u2019s ability to combat smuggling and terrorism.
Rubio Speaks with British, German Counterparts. <\/em><\/strong>On April 29, Secretary Rubio spoke separately with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul<\/a> and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper<\/a> to discuss Iran and the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Department Welcomes Morocco\u2019s Signing of Artemis Accords. <\/em><\/strong>On April 29, the Department of State welcomed<\/a> Morocco\u2019s signing of the Artemis Accords, a US-drafted set of principles<\/a> guiding international cooperation in peaceful space exploration.
United States Aims to Build Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Hormuz<\/em><\/strong>. <\/em><\/strong>On April 29, the Wall Street Journal reported<\/a>, citing an internal Department of State cable, that the Department had instructed US embassies to press foreign governments to join a new US-led international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The effort, dubbed the \u201cMaritime Freedom Construct,\u201d would share information, coordinate diplomatically, and help enforce sanctions.
Department Dedicates New US Consulate General in Casablanca. <\/em><\/strong>On April 30, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau joined<\/a> US Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III and Moroccan officials to dedicate the new US Consulate General in Casablanca.
United States Condemns Global Sumud Flotilla. <\/em><\/strong>On April 30, Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott released a statement condemning<\/a> the Global Sumud Flotilla<\/a> as a \u201cpro-Hamas initiative and a baseless, counterproductive effort to undermine President Trump’s Peace Plan.\u201d Pigott also urged US allies to take \u201cdecisive action\u201d against the flotilla. The flotilla was a peaceful sea convoy that sought to break Israel\u2019s blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. On April 29, Israel, operating in what activists said were international waters<\/a>, intercepted<\/a> the convoy near the Greek island of Crete and detained participants.
Department Approves $8.6 Billion in Arms Sales to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0On May 1, the Department of State approved<\/a> possible Foreign Military Sales totaling over $8.6 billion to Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The proposed sales include:
This\u00a0marks<\/a>\u00a0the third time that the Trump administration has issued an emergency authorization during the Iran war to bypass congressional review of arms sales.
Following the announcement, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY)\u00a0criticized<\/a>\u00a0the administration for bypassing Congress.
3) Department of War<\/strong>
US Military Begins African Lion 2026 Joint Exercise. <\/em><\/strong>On April 28, the US and Moroccan militaries launched<\/a> African Lion 26, AFRICOM\u2019s largest annual joint military exercise, hosted across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. AFRICOM later\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that two US service members taking part in the exercise were reported missing in Morocco on May 2.
CENTCOM Commander to Brief Trump on New Iran Military Options. <\/em><\/strong>On April 30, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper was expected to brief<\/a> President Trump on new plans for potential military action against Iran, Axios<\/a> reported. Options on the table reportedly include \u201cshort and powerful\u201d strikes on Iranian targets and a takeover of parts of the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Bloomberg reported<\/a> that CENTCOM has requested the deployment of the military\u2019s secretive \u201cDark Eagle\u201d hypersonic missile to the Middle East for possible use against Iran. The request was reportedly based on intelligence that Iran had moved its ballistic missile launchers out of range of the US Precision Strike Missile. If approved, the deployment would mark the first operational use of the long-delayed weapon.
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>On April 30, US forces\u00a0conducted<\/a>\u00a0an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia.
Pentagon Claims US Naval Blockade Has Cost Iran $4.8 Billion.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>On May 1, a Pentagon official\u00a0told<\/a>\u00a0The Hill that the Department of War estimated that the US naval blockade has lost Iran about $4.8 billion in oil revenues.
4) Department of the Treasury<\/strong>
Treasury Targets Iran\u2019s Shadow Banking System. <\/em><\/strong>On April 28, the Department of the Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated<\/a> 35 entities and individuals overseeing Iran\u2019s \u201cshadow banking\u201d system, a clandestine financial system set up to evade sanctions.
On May\u00a01, OFAC\u00a0designated<\/a>\u00a0three Iranian foreign currency exchange houses, along with their affiliated individuals and associated companies.
On the same day, the Department of State\u00a0sanctioned<\/a>\u00a0several entities, an individual, and a vessel for their role in facilitating the trade of Iranian petroleum and petroleum products.
Treasury Warns\u00a0Shippers Not to Pay Hormuz Tolls.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>On May 1, the Department of the Treasury\u00a0warned<\/a>\u00a0that shippers risk punitive sanctions if they pay tolls to Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including by making charitable donations to organizations such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
III. Judicial Branch<\/strong>
Judge Blocks Administration from Ending Yemenis\u2019 Temporary Protected Status.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>On May 1, a federal judge\u00a0blocked<\/a>\u00a0the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for nearly 3,000 Yemeni nationals in the United States, ruling that the protection should be extended.
Research Analyst – Government Affairs
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I. Legislative Branch1) LegislationSenate Bill Seeks to Advance US Partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean.\u00a0On April 29, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced\u00a0S.4443, which would\u00a0expand\u00a0US engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through partnerships with Israel and Egypt, to advance energy, trade, and critical infrastructure, and to support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.House Resolution Commends Pakistan for Mediation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14075","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalnewstoday.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}